KR102371656B1 - Method, computer program and broadcasting system for providing image guiding transition between broadcasting contents - Google Patents

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for providing a movement guide image comprises: a step of transmitting, by a media providing server, first image identification information of a first broadcast image comprising first broadcast sales information, first content data comprising second broadcast sales information different from the first broadcast sales information to a set-top box from: a step of receiving, by the media providing server, a request signal for the first content data from the set-top box; and a step of transmitting, by the media providing server, a movement guide image for guiding movement to a second broadcast image comprising the second broadcast sales information to the set-top box in response to the request signal.

Description

A method of providing a moving guide video between broadcasting contents, a computer program and a broadcasting system

The present invention relates to a method and a broadcasting system for providing a movement guide image between broadcasting contents.

With the recent development of TV technology and digital technology, various information is being delivered to viewers through TV. For example, TV home shopping, which provides shopping information through TV, provides various information according to technological change.

Meanwhile, with the recent commercialization of digital-based digital television technology, it has become possible to provide various contents through a network such as the Internet connected to each home, and an IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) service is a representative example.

In the IPTV service, various services can be provided to IPTV service subscribers through a set-top box installed in a designated space, such as a home. Among them, a shopping broadcasting service (or commerce broadcasting) provided through a commerce channel may also be provided.

In the case of a commerce business operator producing a shopping broadcasting service, a commerce channel (ie, a shopping broadcasting service) may be programmed in a correspondingly granted/promised channel by paying a certain amount.

Accordingly, when the IPTV service subscriber selects a channel promised in the set-top box, the set-top box receives the commerce channel regularly scheduled for the channel and outputs it through the TV, so that the IPTV service subscriber can view the commerce channel and use the shopping broadcasting service. However, there is a limit to the delivery of various shopping information according to the user's request, and the improvement of convenience such as checking shopping information and ordering.

On the other hand, as described above, although the output of IPTV is controlled through the set-top box, there is a problem in that the network connected to the set-top box is overloaded according to the demand for interworking with various contents such as real-time data according to a user input.

In addition, when data is received from a server outside the set-top box, an image frame may be cut off, which may cause a problem in that it is difficult for a user to clearly recognize a switch between different broadcasting contents.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method and a broadcasting system for distributing a data load on a network by using a server distinct from a set-top box, and providing a moving guide image between broadcasting contents for user convenience and to supplement discontinuous content output.

In the method for providing a movement guide image according to an embodiment of the present invention, the media providing server includes first image identification information of a first broadcast image including first broadcast sales information, and second broadcast sales different from the first broadcast sales information. transmitting first content data including information to a set-top box; receiving, by the media providing server, a request signal for the first content data from the set-top box; and transmitting, by the media providing server, a movement guide image guiding movement to a second broadcast image including the second broadcast sales information to a set-top box in response to the request signal.

transmitting, by the media providing server, second image identification information of the second broadcast image received from the data server to the set-top box after transmitting the movement guide image; and receiving, by the set-top box, the second broadcast image from a content transmission server.

The transmitting of the second image identification information may include: obtaining, by the data server, output time information regarding a time at which the movement guide image is displayed on an output screen; determining whether the time according to the output time information satisfies a preset criterion; and transmitting, by the media providing server, the second image identification information to the set-top box when the time satisfies the criterion.

After the determining step, if the time does not satisfy the criterion, the data server may re-acquire the output time information until the time satisfies the criterion.

In the step of transmitting the movement guide image, the media providing server may receive, from a data server, the movement guide image stored in the data server.

The transmitting of the movement guide image may include: receiving, by the media providing server, the second broadcast sales information stored in a data server; generating, by the media providing server, the movement guide image using the second broadcast sales information; and transmitting, by the media providing server, the movement guide image to the set-top box.

The method for providing a movement guide image according to the above may be stored in a computer program form in a computer-readable storage medium to be executed using a computer.

A movement guidance image providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention, a set-top box; and a media providing server including a processor and a communication unit communicating with the set-top box, wherein the processor comprises: first image identification information of a first broadcast image including first broadcast sales information; First content data including different second broadcast sales information is transmitted to a set-top box, a request signal for the first content data is received from the set-top box, and in response to the request signal, the second broadcast sales A movement guide image, which guides the movement to the second broadcast image including information, is transmitted to the set-top box.

The system further includes a content transmission server that communicates with the set-top box, and the processor, after transmitting the movement guide image, transmits second image identification information of the second broadcast image received from the data server to the set-top box. box, and the set-top box may receive the second broadcast image from a content transmission server.

The system further includes a data server that communicates with the set-top box and the media providing server, wherein the data server obtains output time information regarding a time when the movement guide image is displayed on an output screen, the data server and At least one of the processors determines whether the time according to the output time information satisfies a preset criterion, and the processor may transmit the second image identification information to the set-top box if the time satisfies the criterion .

After the determining, if the time does not satisfy the criterion, the data server may re-acquire the output time information until the time satisfies the criterion.

The system may further include a data server communicating with the set-top box and the media providing server, and the processor may receive the movement guide image stored in the data server from the data server.

The system further includes a data server communicating with the set-top box and the media providing server, wherein the processor receives the second broadcast sales information stored in the data server, and uses the second broadcast sales information to A movement guide image may be generated, and the movement guide image may be transmitted to the set-top box.

According to embodiments of the present invention, by providing a movement guide image when moving between broadcasting contents according to a user input, it is possible to clearly and easily recognize movement information between different broadcasting contents to a user.

In addition, by inserting a movement guide image between outputs of different broadcasting contents, a natural transition between broadcasting contents can be induced, thereby compensating for frame breakage.

In addition, information on the following broadcasting content is provided in advance through the movement guide image, so that shopping information can be delivered effectively and conveniently to the user.

In this case, the movement guide image and the broadcasting content may be provided from different servers, thereby distributing the data load on the network.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a broadcasting system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a diagram illustrating in more detail some configuration of a broadcasting system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a broadcasting system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a flowchart illustrating in more detail some steps of a method of operating a broadcasting system according to the embodiment of FIG. 3 .
5 is a flowchart illustrating in more detail some other steps of the operating method of the broadcasting system according to the embodiment of FIG. 3 .
6 is an exemplary diagram of output data at a point in time generated by a broadcasting system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is an exemplary diagram of a movement guide image generated by a broadcasting system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is an exemplary diagram of output data generated by a broadcasting system at another time point according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Since the present invention can apply various transformations and can have various embodiments, specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. Effects and features of the present invention, and a method for achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail in conjunction with the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and may be implemented in various forms.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and when described with reference to the drawings, the same or corresponding components are given the same reference numerals, and the overlapping description thereof will be omitted. .

In the following embodiments, terms such as first, second, etc. are used for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another, not in a limiting sense. In the following examples, the singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In the following embodiments, terms such as include or have means that the features or components described in the specification are present, and the possibility that one or more other features or components will be added is not excluded in advance. In the drawings, the size of the components may be exaggerated or reduced for convenience of description. For example, since the size and shape of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily indicated for convenience of description, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the illustrated bar.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a broadcasting system 1000 (hereinafter, referred to as a 'broadcast system') that provides a movement guide image according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The broadcast system 1000 may include a set-top box 110 , an output device 120 connected to the set-top box 110 , a content transmission server 100 , a media providing server 300 , and a data server 400 . The content transmission server 100 , the set-top box 110 , the media providing server 300 , and the data server 400 may be connected to each other through a network 500 to communicate with each other. Of course, in some cases, the broadcast system 1000 may further include the content providing server 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 to be described later. The content providing server 200 will be further described with reference to FIG. 2 to be described later.

The broadcasting system 1000 of the present invention provides a movement guide image by generating output data for broadcasting through the content transmission server 100 and the media providing server 300 , and controlling the output data for broadcasting through the set-top box 110 . do. The set-top box 110 may transmit the finally generated output data for broadcasting to the output device 120 to output a TV broadcast for a viewpoint and/or each preset viewpoint according to a request signal corresponding to a user input.

The set-top box 110 is a hardware device necessary for viewing satellite broadcasting or cable broadcasting at home. Data such as satellite broadcasting, cable broadcasting, or Internet broadcasting is transmitted to the set-top box 110 as data processed through compression and modulation, etc., and the set-top box 110 demodulates and compresses the received data. It performs a role of being implemented in a terminal such as a TV or the output device 120 by processing such as release.

The set-top box 110 may receive a broadcast image from the content transmission server 100 .

According to an embodiment, when the broadcast system 1000 does not include the content delivery server 100 , the content delivery server 100 may be, for example, a server of a broadcast provider. Of course, as described above, the broadcasting system 1000 may include the content transmission server 100 . In this case, the content transmission server 100 may transmit content to servers of various broadcast providers. The content transmission server 100 may store content such as a broadcast image suitable for a platform or format of a broadcast provider. The content transmission server 100 may transmit the stored content to the above-described set-top box 110 so that content such as a broadcast image is reproduced on the output device 120 .

The set-top box 110 receives, through the remote control 130 that communicates with the set-top box 110, a user input regarding a channel, a broadcasting store according to different sales information, and output time information of broadcasting content displayed through an output device, etc. It can be obtained and transmitted to the data server 400 . The output device 120 is a terminal connected to the set-top box 110 , and may receive and display output data for broadcasting processed and/or received in the set-top box 110 .

The content delivery server 100 may receive content data such as a broadcast image from the content providing server 200 (refer to FIG. 2 ) through other transmission paths such as a network (eg, distributed network, contents delivery network, CDN). can

On the other hand, the set-top box 110 transmits, for example, data on a user input obtained through the remote control 130, etc. to the media providing server 300, image identification information of content such as a broadcast image corresponding to the user input may be received from the media providing server 300 , and may request broadcast image data (eg, video on demand (VOD) data) corresponding to the image identification information to the content transmission server 100 . According to an embodiment, the set-top box 110 may convert a subscriber's request (eg, a user input through a remote control) into a control signal and transmit it to the media providing server 300 .

The media providing server 300 may drive and control the application based on the control signal transmitted from the set-top box 110 . The media providing server 300 may generate application screen data for the application. The application screen data is data about an application screen to be implemented (eg, displayed) on the screen of the output device 120 such as a TV, and may include some content for broadcasting content and a movement guide image to be described later.

The media providing server 300 may transmit the generated application screen data to the set-top box 110 . For example, the media providing server 300 may transmit the generated application screen data and image identification information (eg, play URL information) corresponding to the user's control signal to the set-top box 110 together. The media providing server 300 may be, for example, a cloud server.

The media providing server 300 communicates with the content transmission server 100 and the data server 400, and generates and receives broadcast content including different broadcast sales information and a movement guide image therebetween, and synthesized them. TV broadcasting may be provided through the set-top box 110 based on the output data for broadcasting. A detailed operation of generating and outputting content for broadcasting and a movement guide image using the servers 100 , 300 , and 400 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5 , which will be described later.

For example, a subscriber may select and watch various videos by applying a user input to the set-top box 110 based on an application (or an application screen) driven by the media providing server 300 .

The set-top box 20 may receive data of content such as a broadcast image from the content transmission server 100 based on communication with the media providing server 300 . The set-top box 110 uses the image identification information received from the media providing server 300 to provide broadcast images and VOD data from the content delivery server 100 without going through the media providing server 300 and/or the data server 400 . can be obtained. The set-top box 110 may transmit the obtained content, such as a broadcast image and VOD data, to the output device 120 to be output.

The set-top box 110 may generate output data for broadcasting to be output through the output device 120 based on data received from the content transmission server 100 and the media providing server 300 .

Meanwhile, the set-top box 110 may process output data for broadcasting through a program installed in the set-top box 110 . The set-top box 110 may read a platform code, an STP ID, access information, etc. of the set-top box 110 and generate output data based thereon. The set-top box 110 may control the output data to be output from an external output device (eg, the output device 120 ).

The output device 120 is a terminal connected to the set-top box 110 , and may receive and output output data processed and/or generated in the set-top box 110 . For example, a screen may be displayed according to screen data, and a voice may be output according to the voice data. A user terminal such as the output device 120 may be directly connected to the set-top box 110 through a cable or the like. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a user terminal such as the output device 120 may be directly connected to the network, or in this case, may be connected to the set-top box 110 through the network if necessary.

The data server 400 is a server separate from the media providing server 300 , and may transmit product information, customer information, order information, programming information, etc. sold for each broadcasting store to the media providing server 300 . The data server 400 is a computing device in which server programs such as Apache Tomcat and Oracle are installed, and may be implemented to process server functions. The data server 60 may store product information, production information, and/or review information of content, as described above. In addition, the data server 60 may store image identification information and the like and provide related information to the media providing server 300 in response to a request from the media providing server 300 .

The data server 400 may store and manage the image identification information of the broadcast image and the above-described sub output data for generating content data to be described later. The image identification information is used to call broadcast image data stored in the content transmission server 200 . The set-top box 110 may read image identification information included in the output data transmitted from the media providing server 300 , and receive a broadcast image from the content transmission server 200 to generate output data for broadcasting.

The network 500 may be defined as one or more data links capable of transmitting and receiving data between electronic devices and/or servers, and may be a wired and/or wireless communication network. As an example, the network 500 may be a content delivery network (CDN) capable of efficiently delivering various user-selectable content. As another example, the network 500 is at least one of a wired communication network such as the Internet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy and Zigbee, and Ultra Wide Band (UWB). It may be a local area wireless communication network of, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

According to the present disclosure, by inserting a movement guide image between the outputs of broadcasting contents related to different broadcasting sales information using the servers 100 , 300 , and 400 , the user can clearly and easily recognize movement information between different broadcasting contents. There is an effect that can make it happen.

In addition, even if a separate server outside the set-top box 110 is used (eg, the media providing server 300 ), there is an advantage of inducing a natural transition between broadcasting contents to compensate for frame interruption.

According to an embodiment, information on subsequent broadcasting contents is provided in advance through a customized movement guide image, so that it is possible to efficiently and conveniently deliver various shopping information to a user.

Meanwhile, by generating output data for broadcasting using the content transmission server 200 and the media providing server 300 communicating with the set-top box 110 , the data load on the network can be distributed.

2 is a diagram illustrating in more detail some configurations of the broadcasting system 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The set-top box 110 , the content transmission server 100 , the content providing server 200 , the media providing server 300 , and the data server 400 are the communication units 110 , 111 , 210 , 310 , 410 , the processor 120 , respectively. , 112 , 220 , 320 , 420 ), and memories 130 , 113 , 230 , 330 , 430 . In FIG. 2 , the content providing server 200 is additionally illustrated in the configuration of FIG. 1 . The content providing server 200 may store the original data of the broadcast image, and may manage the broadcast image data by providing image identification information for each broadcast image data. The image identification information may be transmitted and managed to the content transmission server 100 and the data server 400 . Then, the media providing server 300 receives the image identification information from the data server 400 and transmits it to the set-top box 110 , and the set-top box 110 corresponds to the image identification information from the content transmission server 100 . By receiving a broadcast image, output data for broadcasting may be obtained.

The communication units 110 , 111 , 210 , 310 , and 410 may communicate with various types of external devices and servers according to various types of communication methods. The communication units 110 , 111 , 210 , 310 , and 410 of the present invention may be connected by the network 500 to exchange data with each other, but the present invention is not limited thereto and each of the components 100 , 110 , 200 , 300 , 400) may be connected and communicated through a separate network.

The processors 120, 112, 220, 320, and 420 use various programs stored in the memories 130, 113, 230, 330, 430 to each device or server 100, 110, 200, 300, 400) may be operated as a whole. The processors 120, 112, 220, 320, and 420 include a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), a processor core, a multiprocessor, and an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). ), but may include a processing device such as FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), but is not limited thereto.

The processor 320 of the media providing server 300 is configured to include first image identification information of a first broadcast image including first broadcast sales information, and first content including second broadcast sales information different from the first broadcast sales information. Data may be transmitted to the set-top box 110 . Thereafter, a request signal for the first content data may be received from the set-top box 110 . Thereafter, in response to the request signal, a movement guide image guiding movement to the second broadcast image including the second broadcast sales information may be transmitted to the set-top box 110 .

Thereafter, the processor 320 may transmit the second image identification information of the second broadcast image received from the data server 400 to the set-top box 110 after transmitting the movement guide image. The set-top box 110 may receive the second broadcast image from the content transmission server 100 .

The processor 420 of the data server 400 may obtain output time information regarding the time when the movement guide image is displayed on the output screen. At least one of the media providing server 300 (eg, the processor 320) and the data server 400 (eg, the processor 420) determines whether the time according to the output time information satisfies a preset criterion. can judge

The processor 320 may transmit the second image identification information to the set-top box 110 when the time satisfies the criterion.

After the determining step, if the time does not satisfy the criterion, the processor 420 of the data server 400 may re-acquire the output time information until the time satisfies the criterion.

The processor 320 may receive the movement guide image stored in the data server 400 from the data server 400 . According to an embodiment, the processor 320 receives the second broadcast sales information stored in the data server 400 , generates the movement guide image using the second broadcast sales information, and displays the movement guide image. It can be transmitted to the set-top box (110).

Hereinafter, data transmission/reception between the content sending server 100 and the content providing server 200 will be described.

The content providing server 200 may register (eg, obtain and store) content such as a commerce video to be provided through the broadcasting system 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Also, the content providing server 200 may receive meta information of content such as a video from the data server 400 and match the meta information for each content. To this end, the content providing server 200 may be connected to the data server 400 and may exchange various information with each other through communication.

The content providing server 200 may convert content such as a registered video according to the platform or format of each broadcaster and transmit the converted content to the content transmission server 100 . Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the content providing server 200 stores the content and transmits it to the content transmission server 100, and the content transmission server 100 converts the content according to the platform or format of the broadcaster. You can also save it. This is the same in the embodiments and modifications thereof to be described later.

Meanwhile, the content providing server 200 may obtain meta information of the content from the data server 400 . The meta information may include product information, production information, and/or review information related to the corresponding content. Of course, in some cases, the content providing server 200 may directly receive and store meta information from the content provider.

The content providing server 200 may transmit data of content such as a video or data of converted content to the content transmission server 100 through a distributed network (CDN). Also, the content providing server 200 may receive image identification information of each moving picture from the content transmission server 100 . The image identification information may be, for example, playback URL information stored in the content transmission server 100 . The commerce contents registered in the content providing server 40 may be provided to subscribers as video on demand (VOD).

The memories 130 , 113 , 230 , 330 , and 430 perform a function of temporarily or permanently storing data processed by each device or server 100 , 110 , 200 , 300 , 400 having each memory. The memories 130 , 113 , 230 , 330 , and 430 may include random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), and permanent mass storage devices such as disk drives, but in the present invention The scope is not limited thereto.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing a movement guide image as an operating method of a broadcasting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. A method of providing a movement guidance image according to an embodiment may include steps to be described later.

The media providing server 300 transmits first image identification information of a first broadcast image including first broadcast sales information and first content data including second broadcast sales information different from the first broadcast sales information to the set-top box. to (S100).

The first image identification information and the first content data may be collectively referred to as 'first output data'. The first content data may be data generated by the media providing server 300 using broadcast sales information received from the data server 400 . In this case, the set-top box 110 may receive a first broadcast image corresponding to the first image identification information from the content transmission server 100 . The set-top box 110 may generate the first broadcast content by synthesizing the first output data and the first broadcast image. As such, the first broadcast content finally controlled through the set-top box 110 may be content that is simultaneously displayed on the output screen of the output device 120 . The step S100 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 4 to be described later.

Thereafter, the media providing server 300 may receive a request signal corresponding to a user input for the first content data from the set-top box 110 (S200). The request signal may be input through the remote control 130 communicating with the set-top box 110 . The user input may be an input for selecting first content data related to second broadcast sales information.

Thereafter, in response to the request signal, the media providing server 300 may transmit a movement guide image guiding movement to the second broadcast image including the second broadcast sales information to the set-top box 110 ( S300). The movement guide image may be displayed through an output screen of the output device 120 .

Hereinafter, types of movement guidance images will be described.

The media providing server 300 may receive the movement guide image stored in the data server 400 from the data server 400 . In this case, the output device 120 may output the fixed movement guide image stored in the data server 400 irrespective of the content of the broadcast content output before and after. For example, referring to FIG. 7 to be described later, the fixed movement guide image may include a user interface such as an arrow indicating preparation for play and a guide text 'I am moving to another video store now.' The guide text can have various contents within a range that can recognize and imply movement between broadcasting contents.

According to an embodiment, the media providing server 300 may generate and transmit a customized movement guide image output by the following steps. The media providing server 300 may receive the second broadcast sales information stored in the data server 400 . Thereafter, the movement guide image may be generated using the second broadcast sales information, and the movement guide image may be transmitted to the set-top box 110 .

The customized movement guide image may be an image separately generated for each selected broadcast sales information according to a request signal corresponding to a user input. Specifically, the media providing server 300 may receive, from the data server 400 , product information including a product code corresponding to the user input, production information, and the like, in response to a request signal for specific broadcast sales information. . Thereafter, the media providing server 300 may generate 'sub shopping information' so that the broadcast sales information selected by the user input is implemented in various forms such as text and photos based on product information and production information. Accordingly, the media providing server 300 may generate a customized movement guide image in which the sub shopping information is displayed. In this case, information on subsequent broadcasting content is provided in advance through the movement guide image, so that shopping information can be delivered effectively and conveniently to the user.

In this case, the output type of the movement guide image may be selected using the data server 400 . That is, an output operation of the media providing server 300 , for example, an output condition of a movement guide image, may be controlled by using the data server 400 . Access and control through the data server 400 may be performed through the output device 120 or a user terminal different from the output device 120 .

For example, when 'fixed output' of the movement guide image is selected through the user terminal 350, the same movement guide image may be output regardless of the identification information of the broadcasting content selected by the user, and 'customized output' In case of selection, a different movement guide image may be output for each content for broadcasting selected by the user. Thereafter, the output data condition set through the user terminal 350 may be transmitted to the media providing server 300 using a network (S410). The network may be the same as or different from the network 500 described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 .

Thereafter, the media providing server 300 may transmit the second image identification information of the second broadcast image received from the data server 400 to the set-top box 110 (S400). In this case, the media providing server 300 generates second content data including third broadcast sales information different from the first and second broadcast sales information in addition to the second video identification information to generate the second video identification information. and may be transmitted to the set-top box 110 . The second image identification information and the second content data may be collectively referred to as 'second output data', but the second output data may be a concept that includes only the second image identification information and does not include the second content data. .

Thereafter, the set-top box 110 may receive the second broadcast image from the content transmission server 100 (S500). The set-top box 110 may generate second broadcast content by synthesizing the second output data received from the media providing server 300 and the second broadcast image. That is, after the movement guide image is output through the output device 120 , the second broadcast content may be output.

Examples of actual output of the first broadcast content, the movement guide image, and the second broadcast content will be described in more detail with reference to the related drawings to be described later.

4 is a flowchart illustrating in more detail some steps ( S100 ) of the method of operating the broadcasting system according to the embodiment of FIG. 3 . Transmitting the first image identification information and the first content data to the set-top box (S100) may include the following steps.

The media providing server 300 may receive the first image identification information from the data server 400 (S110). The media providing server 300 may receive the second broadcast sales information from the data server 400 to generate first content data including the second broadcast sales information (S120). Thereafter, the server 300 may generate first output data including the first image identification information and the first content data and transmit it to the set-top box 110 ( S130 ).

Thereafter, the set-top box 110 may receive a first broadcast image corresponding to the first image identification information from the content transmission server 100 to control the first output data. In other words, the first broadcast content in which the first output data and the first broadcast image are synthesized may be generated through the set-top box 110 , and the first broadcast content may be displayed through the output screen of the output device 120 . can As described above, the first broadcast image may be an image provided through data transmission/reception using image identification information between the content transmission server 100 , the content providing server 200 and the data server 400 . In this case, it is not necessary that the output times of the first broadcast image and the first content data completely coincide, for example, the first broadcast image is displayed first and then the first content is displayed using the data server 400 . can be controlled.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating in more detail step S400, which is a part of the operating method of the broadcasting system according to the embodiment of FIG. 3 . Transmitting the second image identification information (S400) may include steps to be described later.

The data server 400 may obtain output time information regarding the time when the movement guide image is displayed on the output screen of the output device 120 (S410).

Specifically, the output time may be a time from a 'conversion time' at which the first broadcast content is converted to a movement guide image to a 'measurement time' at which the output time information is measured. The transition time may be a 'conversion start time' at which the movement guide image starts to be output on the TV screen, or may be a 'conversion completion time' at which the entire movement guide image starts to be outputted according to an embodiment. Since there are a plurality of measurement time points, the output time information may be discretely or continuously acquired and updated at a plurality of time points.

The movement guide image may be displayed in such a way that the movement guide image appears first from one side (eg, the left side) on the TV screen, and the exposure ratio of the movement guide image gradually increases toward the other side (eg, the right side) and the entire image appears. Alternatively, the entire image may be displayed at the same time so that both sides (left and right) of the movement guide image appear at the same time.

According to an embodiment, the output time information may be acquired by another server such as the set-top box 110 or the media providing server 300 .

The output time may be within about 2 seconds (sec) and, for example, may be within about 0.5 (sec), but is not necessarily limited thereto. It can be set in various ways within a given range.

Then, at least one of the media providing server 300 and the data server 400 (depending on the embodiment, it may be determined by the set-top box 110). The time according to the output time information satisfies a preset criterion. It can be determined whether or not (S420). The preset criterion may be to determine whether the output time of the movement guide image has reached a predetermined time. The predetermined time may be within about 2 seconds (sec) and, for example, may be within about 0.5 (sec), but is not necessarily limited thereto, and the output time allows the user to clearly and easily recognize switching or movement between broadcasting contents. It can be set in various ways within a possible range. However, the criteria are not limited thereto, and various changes can be applied within a range that can easily recognize a change between different broadcasting contents.

When the time satisfies the criterion (S421), the media providing server 300 may transmit the second image identification information received from the data server 400 to the set-top box 110 (S430).

For example, it is assumed that the maximum time for which the movement guide image is displayed is set to 1.5 seconds (sec) with respect to the reference. At this time, when the output time according to the output time information reaches 1.5 seconds (sec), the media providing server 300 may transmit the second image identification information to the set-top box 110 . At this time, the media providing server 300 generates a broadcast video conversion signal and transmits it to the set-top box 110 together with the second video identification information to call a subsequent broadcast video including broadcast sales information different from the previous broadcast video. there is. The previous broadcast image may be the aforementioned first broadcast image, and the subsequent broadcast image may be the aforementioned second broadcast image.

After the determining step (S420), if the time does not satisfy the criterion, the data server 400 may return to the step (S420) of obtaining the output time information again and re-acquire the output time information (S422). At this time, the output device 120 maintains the output of the movement guide image. In this case, the data server 400 may re-acquire the output time information until the re-acquired updated output time satisfies the criterion. If the update output time satisfies the above criteria (S421), the flow advances to the next step (S430).

Here again, referring to FIG. 1 together, the steps described below are included after the step (S400) of transmitting the above-described second image identification information and before the step (S500) of the set-top box 110 receiving the second broadcast image (S500). can do.

The media providing server 300 receives the first broadcast sales information and third broadcast sales information different from the second broadcast sales information from the data server 400 to generate second content data including the third broadcast sales information. can Thereafter, the server 300 may generate second output data including the second image identification information and the second content data and transmit it to the set-top box 110 .

Thereafter, the set-top box 110 may receive a second broadcast image corresponding to the second image identification information from the content transmission server 100 to control the second output data. In other words, the second broadcast content in which the second output data and the second broadcast image are synthesized may be generated through the set-top box 110 , and the second broadcast content may be displayed through the output screen of the output device 120 . can As described above, the second broadcast image may be an image provided through data transmission/reception using image identification information between the content transmission server 100 , the content providing server 200 and the data server 400 .

As described above, according to the present disclosure, when switching between broadcasting contents including different broadcasting sales information, information on subsequent broadcasting contents can be effectively and clearly transmitted by inserting a movement guide image between the outputs of the two contents. It works. In addition, by receiving the broadcasting content and movement guide image output through the broadcasting providing server from different servers, the load on the network is distributed, and various shopping information can be delivered quickly.

Hereinafter, a method for providing a movement guide image according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8 .

6 is an exemplary diagram of output data at one point in time generated by the broadcasting system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is an exemplary diagram of a movement guide image generated by the broadcasting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. , and FIG. 8 is an exemplary diagram of output data generated by the broadcast system at another time point according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 to 8 show an output screen 10 on which the output device 120 displays content for broadcasting according to output data received from the set-top box 110 .

Referring to FIG. 6 , the output screen 10 of the first time point is shown. At the first time point, a main channel is selected according to a request signal through the set-top box 110, and content for broadcasting according to another request signal, for example, for each broadcasting store, can be displayed in each area of the output screen 10 to be described later. there is.

The output screen 10 may include a first area 20 and a second area 30 adjacent to the first area 20 . The first area 20 is a main area of the output screen 10 , and broadcast images for each broadcast store including different broadcast sales information received from the content transmission server 100 may be displayed. A first broadcast image V1 including first broadcast sales information may be displayed in the first area 20 . The first broadcast image V1 may be an image including broadcast sales information corresponding to any one of a plurality of broadcast store tabs to be described later. The broadcast store tab may indicate the UI groups G1, G2, G3, and G4 illustrated in FIG. 6 , and may include a UI not illustrated in FIG. 6 .

The second area 30 is a partial area of the surrounding area of the output screen 10, and various information related to broadcasting, such as product information, customer information, order information, event information, and programming information, may be displayed in the form of a user interface. . The second area 30 is a banner area in which the above-described information is displayed, and may include a right banner area 31 and a left banner area 32 . In the right banner area 31 , first content data B1 including second broadcast sales information different from the first broadcast sales information may be displayed. Like the first broadcast image V1 , the first content data B1 may be UI data or image data including broadcast sales information corresponding to any one of a plurality of broadcast store tabs to be described later. In the left banner area 32 , product information, customer information, order information, event information, and programming information for the first broadcast sales information of the first broadcast image V1 may be displayed in the form of a UI.

In this case, the first broadcast image V1 may be received from the content transmission server 100 , and the first content data B1 may be received from the media providing server 300 . The set-top box 110 receives each of the first broadcast image V1 and the first content data B1 from both servers 100 and 300 , and displays the first broadcast image V1 on the output screen 10 as shown in FIG. 6 . ) and the first content data B1 may be displayed at the same first time point. Hereinafter, the two contents V1 and B1 may be collectively referred to as 'first broadcasting content', and the first broadcasting content may be a concept that further includes a left banner area 32 .

The output screen 10 may further include a GNB area 35 and a special banner area 37 . GNB is an abbreviation of 'Global Navigation Bar', and may represent a menu that can be commonly used regardless of which output data is displayed on the display area of the user interface device such as the output screen 10 of the present invention.

The GNB area 35 may display at least one or more broadcast store tap groups. Hereinafter, the broadcast store tab may be referred to as a user interface (UI). The number of UIs included in the UI group G is sufficient if at least two, and the number is not limited. In the embodiment of FIG. 6 , the UI displayed on the GNB area 35 is illustrated as four different first, second, third, and fourth UIs (G1, G2, G3, G4), but the GNB area ( 35), the number of UIs displayed is not limited thereto.

Each of the first to fourth UIs G1, G2, G3, and G4 may correspond to each broadcasting store that sells different product codes, a group of similar products classified according to a specific criterion, and a group of similar products classified according to a specific theme. . Each of the UIs G1, G2, G3, and G4 may be selected according to a user input.

The special banner area 37 may include a plurality of banners related to various information such as review information, programming information, and order information.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the output data of the right banner area 31 and the left banner area 32 may be interchanged, and the output data displayed on each of the banner areas 31 and 32 is not limited to the above description, and is broadcast to the user. Various information within the range that can efficiently provide

In the above, it has been described that the user input for controlling the output of the movement guide image selects the content data output on the right banner 31, but UIs (G1, G2, G3, G4) for each broadcasting store on the GNB area 35 (G1, G2, G3, G4) Alternatively, a specific UI on the special banner area 37 or data displayed in a pop-up window output according to the UI may be selected. The content data selected according to the user input is not limited to the above, and may be various data for inducing conversion between different broadcasting content.

Next, referring to FIG. 7 , a movement guide image M1 may be output through the output screen 10 in response to a request signal for the first content data B1 . In the case of the above-described customized output, the movement guide image M1 may be customized and provided according to a user input, that is, for each broadcasting store tab. For example, the names of broadcasting stores corresponding to G1 to G4 of the aforementioned UI group may be marked and displayed in 'Other video stores' among the guide texts of the movement guide image M1 shown in FIG. 7 . The movement guide image M1 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 7 , and includes content such as various texts, images, and banners within a range that can effectively and easily deliver broadcast sales information handled by subsequent broadcast stores. can do. In this case, efficient broadcast delivery is possible by recognizing in advance the user information on the broadcasting store to be moved through the moving guide image for each broadcasting store.

The movement guide image M1 may be displayed through the third area 40 of the output screen 10 , and the third area 40 covers both the first area 20 and the second area 30 . It may be an area including However, the region in which the movement guide image M1 is displayed is not limited thereto, and various changes are possible within a range in which the user can recognize that movement/switching between different broadcasting contents is being performed.

7 illustrates a state in which the movement guide image M1 is completely output. The output of the movement guide image M1 may be continuously performed with the movement, ie, disappearance, of the first broadcasting contents V1 and B1 of FIG. 6 . In other words, the conversion from the first broadcasting contents V1 and B1 to the movement guide image M1 may be gradually performed. For example, on the output screen 10 , the movement guide image 10 may be gradually displayed from the left to the right. In this case, the output time obtained by the broadcast providing server 100 may mean a time from the switching time point to the measurement time point described above in FIG. 4 .

As shown in FIG. 7 , the movement guide image may include a fixed movement guide image in which different broadcast sales information is not separately displayed for each broadcasting store and the above-described customized movement guide image. In the former case, as shown in FIG. 7 , a guide text or a guide image for recognizing a switch between broadcast content such as 'I'm moving to another video store' may be included.

It may be determined by at least one of the data server 400 and the media providing server 300 whether the output time satisfies a preset condition, and if it is satisfied, the second broadcast image V2 of FIG. 8 may be output. . Specifically, when the movement guide image M1 of FIG. 7 is displayed for more than a preset time and exposed to the user, the media providing server 300 uses the second image identification information to the set-top box 110 or the content transmission server A broadcast image switching signal may be transmitted to 100 and the second broadcast image V2 may be called. In this case, the second broadcast image V2 may be displayed on the first area 20 of the output screen 10 . The second broadcast image V2 may be an image about a broadcast store that includes broadcast sales information different from the first broadcast image V1 described above. Although only the second broadcast image V2 is indicated in FIG. 8, third broadcast sales information is included in the second area 30 (refer to FIG. 6) around the first area 20 along with the second broadcast image V2. Second content data (not shown) may be displayed together.

In addition, although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and the technical field to which the present invention pertains without departing from the gist of the present invention as claimed in the claims In addition, various modifications are possible by those of ordinary skill in the art, and these modifications should not be individually understood from the technical spirit or perspective of the present invention.

Therefore, the spirit of the present invention should not be limited to the above-described embodiments, and not only the claims described below, but also all scopes equivalent to or changed from these claims are the scope of the spirit of the present invention. would be said to belong to the category.

100: content transmission server 110: set-top box
120: output device 200: content providing server
300: media providing server 400: data server
10: output screen 20: first area
30: second area 31: right banner area
32: left banner area V1: first broadcast image
V2: Second broadcast video M1: Movement guide video
B1: first content data

Claims (13)

The media providing server transmits first image identification information of a first broadcast image including first broadcast sales information and first content data including second broadcast sales information different from the first broadcast sales information to the set-top box. step;
receiving, by the media providing server, a request signal for the first content data displayed at the same time as the first broadcast image from the set-top box; and
transmitting, by the media providing server, a movement guide image guiding movement to a second broadcast image including the second broadcast sales information to a set-top box in response to the request signal;
including,
After transmitting the movement guide image,
transmitting, by the media providing server, second image identification information of the second broadcast image received from the data server to the set-top box; and
Receiving, by the set-top box, the second broadcast image from a content transmission server without passing through the media providing server by using the second image identification information;
The set-top box receives the first broadcast image corresponding to the first image identification information from the content transmission server without going through the media providing server, the movement guide image providing method. delete The method of claim 1,
Transmitting the second image identification information,
obtaining, by the data server, output time information regarding a time at which the movement guide image is displayed on an output screen;
determining whether the time according to the output time information satisfies a preset criterion; and
transmitting, by the media providing server, the second image identification information to the set-top box when the time satisfies the criterion;
Including, a method of providing a movement guide image. 4. The method of claim 3,
After the step of determining, if the time does not satisfy the criterion,
and the data server re-acquires the output time information until the time satisfies the criterion. The method of claim 1,
In the step of transmitting the movement guide image,
The media providing server receives, from a data server, the movement guide image stored in the data server, the movement guide image providing method. The method of claim 1,
Transmitting the movement guide image comprises:
receiving, by the media providing server, the second broadcast sales information stored in a data server;
generating, by the media providing server, the movement guide image using the second broadcast sales information; and
transmitting, by the media providing server, the movement guide image to the set-top box;
Including, a method of providing a movement guide image. A computer program stored in a computer-readable storage medium for executing the method of any one of claims 1 and 3 to 6 using a computer. set-top box;
a content transmission server communicating with the set-top box; and
and a media providing server including a communication unit and a processor communicating with the set-top box,
The processor is
Transmitting first content data including first image identification information of a first broadcast image including first broadcast sales information and second broadcast sales information different from the first broadcast sales information to the set-top box;
receiving a request signal for the first content data displayed at the same time as the first broadcast image from the set-top box;
In response to the request signal, transmitting a movement guide image guiding movement to a second broadcast image including the second broadcast sales information to the set-top box;
After transmitting the movement guide image, the second image identification information of the second broadcast image is transmitted to the set-top box,
The set-top box is
receiving the second broadcast image from the content transmission server without passing through the media providing server by using the second image identification information;
A system for providing a movement guide image for receiving the first broadcast image corresponding to the first image identification information from the content transmission server without passing through the media providing server. delete 9. The method of claim 8,
The system further comprises a data server in communication with the set-top box and the media providing server,
The data server is
Transmitting the second image identification information of the second broadcast image to the set-top box,
Acquire output time information about the time the movement guide image is displayed on the output screen,
At least one of the data server and the processor determines whether the time according to the output time information satisfies a preset criterion,
The processor is
When the time satisfies the criterion, the second image identification information is transmitted to the set-top box, a movement guide image providing system. 11. The method of claim 10,
The data server is
After the determining, if the time does not satisfy the criterion, the output time information is re-acquired until the time satisfies the criterion. 9. The method of claim 8,
The system further comprises a data server in communication with the set-top box and the media providing server,
The processor is
and receiving the movement guide image stored in the data server from the data server. 9. The method of claim 8,
The system further comprises a data server in communication with the set-top box and the media providing server,
The processor is
and receiving the second broadcast sales information stored in the data server, generating the movement guide image using the second broadcast sales information, and transmitting the movement guide image to the set-top box.

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